Fairfax County Agency Observes National Consumer Protection Week

Fairfax County Agency Observes
National Consumer Protection Week

Feb. 3-7, 2003, is National Consumer Protection Week, which will
highlight consumer protection and education efforts around the country.
The Consumer Protection Division of the Fairfax County Department of
Cable Communications and Consumer Protection is celebrating this
important event with an open house from Monday, Feb. 3, to Friday, Feb.
7, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The open house will be held in Suite 433 of
the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway,
Fairfax.

The Consumer Protection Division provides a variety of consumer
protection services for Fairfax County citizens. The division licenses
and regulates taxi cab drivers and operators, peddlers, solicitors, gun
dealers, precious metal and gem dealers, pawn brokers, massage therapists
and establishments, and going out of business sales, and investigates
consumer complaints about these activities. The division also mediates
consumer and landlord/tenant disputes and investigates complaints in
order to determine if laws have been violated. Arbitration is available
when the mediation process fails to resolve an issue. Staff also prepares
cases for legal action and seeks prosecution through the County
Attorney’s Office.

The Consumer Protection Division provides staff support to the Consumer
Protection Commission, the Tenant-Landlord Commission and the Towing
Advisory Board. Staff also provides assistance to condominium and
homeowners associations through seminars and publications, such as the
Community Association Manual.

Consumers will find helpful information on the county’s Web site about a
variety of consumer topics such as auto repairs, new home construction,
home improvement, consumer complaints, and more. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dtcs/consserv/homepage.htm
for these other consumer topics.

Interested consumers are welcome to visit the Consumer Protection
Division to pick up a treat and a special packet of information which
tells about the agency and gives useful tips on how to be a smart
consumer. Come and meet the staff who will be available to answer
questions and provide advice to help solve problems you may be having
with a business or landlord in the county. For more information, call
Consumer Protection at 703-324-5934, TTY 703-222-8653.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187 OR TTY-703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW
FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS